Quick disconnect mounting for a submerge pump



Dec. 4, 1962 c. P. GRIFFITH ETAL 3,066,337

QUICK DISCONNECT MOUNTING FOR A SUBMERGE PUMP Filed May 7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS.

' 95 CLEMENT I? GRIFFITH T I29 7 121 135 JOHN .1 DELANEY A TTORNE Y Dec. 4, 1962 c. P. GRIFFITH ETAL 3,066,337

QUICK DISCONNEICT MOUNTING FOR A SUBMERGE PUMP Filed May 7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. vCLEMENT P. GRIFFITH JOHN J. DELANEY ATTORNEY United States harem G 3,066,837 QUHQK DISCUNNECT MQUNTENG 1 R A SUBMERGE PUMP Cielnent l. Grifith and John J. Delaney, Fort Wayne,

End, assignors to Bowser, Inc, Fort Wayne, Ind, a corporation of Indiana Filed May 7, W55, cr. No. 533,042 6 Claims. ((11. 222-385) The invention relates generally to pumps and more particularly is directed to pump apparatus preferably adapted for use in conjunction with supply tanks containing liquid fuels at filling stations.

Supply tanks for the above and some other purposes are usually buried to promote safety and to obtain maximum utilization of the ground area thereabove. The owner or manager of all stations, and particularly the larger stations having many dispensers are confronted with the problem of continually maintaining the dispensers and pump apparatus in efficient operating condition.

In a conventional remote type filling station one or more dispensers are operatively connected to a supply tank with a pump in the tank for forcing the fuel in a continuous regulated flow to and through each dispenser in accord with the demand of the latter under the control of an operator.

When the pump apparatus in the tank fails the dispenser is automatically rendered useless. This breakdown completely eliminates all revenue which might otherwise be derived from the sale of fuel from one or more dispensers.

Due to the permanent characteristics inherent in conventional systems or installations, very little thought has been devoted to factors related to maintenance, or the removal of any of the operating or control mechanisms for repair or replacement. in fact, some of the pump structures utilized in conventional systems are comprised of a multitude of complicated components which are not only expensive to manufacture and assemble but generally difiicult to install as well as remove when their failure requires a replacement or repair. Moreover, the pump structure and associated parts in some installations are so heavy and cumbersome and intricate that several or a gang of workmen are usually required to eflect the necessary repairs or replacements and particularly those having to do with the mechanical and electrical operating units and controls.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the subject invention is to provide a pump structure which overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the conventional systems currently in use. The pump structure embodying the invention is designed and constructed to include a relatively few compact subassemblies or units which can be readily detachably connected to facilitate their installation and removal when repairs or replacements are necessary. More particularly in this regard, the structure includes, among other things, a tubular mounting adapted for attachment to a tank or reservoir, a housing attached to the mounting, a support carried by the housing, a pump unit adapted for disposition in a tank, a discharge pipe extending through the mounting and operatively connected to the support and pump unit, an electrical junction box carried by the support for housing electrical wiring, and cooperable connection means on the housing and support to alford a quick but positive detachable connection whereby the support, pump and box constituting a single unit can be readily removed or installed with respect to the housing and associated components of the system or installation.

A specific object of the invention is to provide the support with a fastener or fasteners for attachment with ice 2 means whereby to facilitate raising or lowering of the unit above described.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a setup whereby the electrical junction box can be readily detachably connected from the support and with respect to other associated components of the system, so that by merely disconnecting the box from such components and the connection means between the support and housing, the unit comprising the support, box and pump can be easily and quickly removed by two workmen or by one and a simple hoisting mechanism as compared to many workers required for effecting a replacement in some of the conventional systems. The rapidity of making repairs or replacements is an important factor as alluded to above and the subject invention offers the distinct advantage whereby a complete unit can be readily removed and replaced with another in kind in a matter or minutes without too seriously interfering with the normal dispensing and servicing operations at a filling station.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a unit of the kind described in which the housing is provided with an internal guide or seat means appropriately located to assist in piloting the support into connection with the housing and in stabilizing the position of the support and pump.

Another object of the invention is to provide a housing having a dual valving device or mechanism incorporated therewith which automatically relieves the back pressure in the line between the valve device and a dispenser resulting from the expansion of fuel in such line during the hot summer months. The valving device, which will be described more in detail subsequently, comprises a primary and a secondary valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support having an upper extremity which is detachably connectible with the housing and detachably supports the junction box, and a lower extremity which cooperates with the internal means in the housing and supports a discharge pipe. The support is designed and constructed to provide communication with the valve device and the discharge pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide means r whereby the housing can be readily detachably connected with the mounting and the mechanism of the valve device, can be readily detachably connected to the housing.

A significant object of the invention is to provide a setup which enjoys the merits of simplicity, wide adaptabih ity and reliability.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational side view of the pump apparatus installed in a well or pit, with portions of the apparatus in section to show details of construction;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of a housing and valve device;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken through the assembly shown in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the valve shown in FIGURE 3.

Referring gene-rally to the structure exemplified in the drawings, the system, among other things, includes a supply tank or reservoir 21 from which a liquid fuel or other liquid is adapted to be dispensed, a tubular mounting 23 connected to the tank in an upstanding position, a hous ing generally designated 25 carried by the mounting, a support 27 connected to the housing, a tubular discharge pipe 29 having its upper end attached at 81 to the sup port and its lower end attached by connecting elements to and supporting a pump unit or assembly comprising a casing 31 containing a motor and a pump (not shown) for forcing the liquid upwardly through the pipe '29, support 27, housing 25, and a valve device generally designated 33 to a line 35 adapted to be communicatively connected to a dispenser (not shown) which is under the direct control of a station attendant or operator. The system also includes an electrical junction box 37 which is mounted on and above the support by a conduit 39 which extends through the support 27 and discharge pipe 29 and into the casing 31 for receiving conductor wires and operatively connecting the box with the motor. The junction box 37 is provided with a conduit 43 joined to a conduit 41 by a union 45 and a connector iii so that the junction box 37 can freely rotate in any direction. Conduction wires, not shown, extend through these conduits and operatively connect the motor with a switch mounted on a dispenser (not shown), which switch is actuated to initiate operation of the pump when the nozzle carried by a hose attached to the dispenser is removed from the dispenser preparatory to filling the tank of a vehicle or container.

The reservoir or tank 241 is preferably located an appreciable depth in the soil and provided with an opening to which an internally threaded ring 47 is anchored. The lower end of the tubular mounting 23 is externally threaded for detachable connection with the ring 47 and an annular flange 49 is aflixed to the upper end of the mounting.

The housing, among other things, includes a vertical tubular portion 51 and a lateral or offset portion constituting a valve body 53 for the valve mechanism 33. The lower end of the tubular portion of the housing is provided with an annular enlargement or flange 55 which mates or cooperates with the annular flange 49 on the mounting. Fastening means, preferably in the form of screws 57, are utilized to clamp and connect the flanges together. The screws extend through holes in the annular split clamping ring 56 and into threaded apertures provided therefor in the flange $9 on the tubular mounting 23. The underside of the flange 55 is preferably provided with an annular groove 58 within which an annular gasket 59 is disposed for eifecting a fluid tight seal between opposed smooth faces of the flanges. Obviously, means other than the one just described may be utilized to firmly connect the housing and mounting. The mounting and housing constitute what can be referred to as a supporting mounting structure for the support which carries the pump unit.

The upper end of the tubular portion of the housing is provided with an integral flange 61 provided with threaded apertures. The tubular portion of the housing forms achamber and the lower part of this portion is provided with internal means 63 forming an annular guide means for the support 27 and will be referred to more in detail subsequently.

The support 27 includes an upper extremity or head portion having a flange which rests upon the upper flange 65 of the housing and connection means, preferably in the form of screws 67, extend through holes in the flange and connect with the threaded apertures in the flange 61 to afford a quick detachable connection between the support and housing. The underside of the flange 65 on the support is preferably provided with an annular groove having an annular gasket 69 therein for effecting a fluid tight joint between opposed smooth faces of the support and housing when the screws are tightened. The head portion of the support is provided with a axial opening which is counter bored or drilled to form a seat for packing 7-1 as shown in FIGURE 3. The counterbore is internally threaded and receives a fitting or gland 73 which can be manipulated by a tool to compress the packing and provide a fluid tight joint between the support and the conduit 39 above referred to which carries the electrical junction box. The head portion of the support is also provided with a pair of connectors 75 preferably in the form of screw eyes which are threadedly connected to the head portion at diametrically disposed locations for balance and connection with means such as a cable for elevating or hoisting the support and carried thereby when failure of the motor and/ or pump constituting the pump unit or assembly require removal for repair or replacement.

The support 27 includes a generally tubular portion 77 forming a chamber and a lower enlarged annular portion 79 having a machined periphery and a large center internally threaded opening 81 which receives the upper threaded end of the discharge pipe 29. The periphery of the annular portion is preferably interrupted by an annular groove having an annular gasket 83 therein which serves to provide a fluid tight connection between the lower annular portion of the support and the internal abutment means '63 on the housing. The internal means is located in a predetermined axial position and serves to pilot or guide the annular portion 79 on the lower end of the support into a stabilized center position. The upper and lower extremities of the support are joined by the generally tubular portion77 and the latter is provided with one or more passages or ports $5 preferably formed by a plurality of longitudinally extending portions or webs. The ports provide communication between the chambers of the housing and support and with the pump through the discharge pipe 29 disposed in the threaded opening 81 in the support.

As alluded to above the electric junction box 37 is provided with a conduit which is coupled with another conduit by a union. it will be noted that the box is grounded by a wire 87.

In view of the foregoing, it will be manifest that by merely disconnecting the conduits 41 and 43 and any electrical conductors therein or in the box and removing the screws 67, the support and all of the components carried thereby can be readily removed or pulledupwardly and away from the housing 25.

Referring now to the valve device incorporating improved principles of design and construction, the offset portion of the housing providing the body 53 for the valve mechanism is formed with a partition or wall 89 dividing the body into what can be termed an upper chamber 91 normally in communication with the pipe or line 35 leading to a dispenser and a lower chamber 93 constituting a continuation of the chamber defined by tubular portion 51 of the housing 25. The partition includes a horizontal portion provided with a relatively large opening or port 95 which affords communication between the upper and lower chambers. The partition is formed to provide a raised valve seat 97 which will be referred to subsequently. A pipe nipple 99 has one end threadedly connected with an internally threaded opening in the body portion 53 and its other end is coupled with the pipe line 35 by a union 101.

The body portion of the housing 25 also includes "an upper wall provided with a relatively large opening 103 therein and the upper surface of this wall is machined smooth and affords a rest or seat for a cover 105 having an annular flange which mates or engages the upper surface of the upper wall. The underside of the flange on the cover is provided with an annular groove having a gasket 107 therein for sealing purposes when the cover is secured in place by fastening means preferably in the form of screws 109 extending through the cover and threadedly connected to the body 53. The cover is generally dome shaped and has an inner annular flange which extends into the opening 163 to assist in centering the cover.

The cover is also provided with a centrally disposed depending generally tubular portion having a cylindrical bore 111 therein which slidably receives a tubular stem member of a valve subassembly. This stem member has an upper elongated cylindrical extremity 113 which is loosely or freely slidable in the bore, an intermediate enlargement 115 constituting an abutment and a lower externally threaded extremity 117. The lengths of the bore and upper extremity 113 of the stem are supposed to stabilize the movement of the stem. The upper extremity 113 of the stem is provided with a longitudinal bore 119 and the lower extremity with a bore 121, forming a socket, of a larger diameter than bore 119 and terminates in the upper extremity beyond the enlargement 115. A valve support 123, a primary valve element 125 and a washer 127 are each provided with a hole through which the lower threaded extremity 117 extends and a nut 129 serves to firmly secure the aforesaid components together. The support 123 is held against the abutment 115 and provided with a recess which receives the valve element 125 constructed of some desirable resilient material. The washer 127 is held between the valve element and the nut and serves to hold the element in relation to the recess in the support and stabilize its position for normally engaging the raised valve seat 97 to prevent the liquid in the discharge side of the system from returning back to the tank. The back pressure in the discharge side primarily serves to maintain the valve element against the seat to close the port or opening 95.

The valving device also includes a secondary valve having a seat 131 secured in the base of the larger bore 121 of the stem, a secondary valve element 133, preferably in the form of a ball, and a helical spring 135 which serves to normally maintain the ball against the seat to close a port or passage 137 in the seat. An abutment 139, preferably in the form of a cross pin, is secured to lower extremity of the stern and across the larger bore to hold the spring compressed and the ball in the bore. The fit between the valve stem and the bore 111 in the depending portion on the cover 195 is preferably such that liquid may circulate or pass between the stem and walls of the bore and through the stem, housing and back to the tank through pipe 29 when the secondary valve element 133 is moved off its seat by expansion of the liquid in the chamber 91 and the discharge line 35 leading to a dispenser. This secondary valve thus compensates for or relieves the back pressure resulting from expansion of a liquid and automatically returns the released liquid back to the tank.

As exemplified in the drawing, a relatively large jacket 141 has its lower end resting on the tank and extends upwardly in surrounding relationship to the mounting, housing and junction box for protecting same from the soil and affording ready access to the pump structure. A ring 143 is supported on the upper end of the jacket and disposed within a layer of concrete or other surface material 145. This ring is provided with an inset annular rest or seat for a manhole cover 147. Although the structure illustrated in the drawing is arranged in a well or pit below the surface of the ground, it is to be understood that, if found desirable, the structure can be installed so that, for example, the housing and electrical junction box or controls can be located above the ground level, in which event, provision can be made for protecting same by a suitable enclosure such as a hood or cowl.

Having thus described our invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention, and, therefore, we do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combina tion of parts herein shown and described.

We claim:

1. In combination: a tank, a tubular member carried by the tank and communicating therewith, a housing mounted on said member and provided with a chamber communicating with the tank through said member, a support having a portion resting on the housing and a generally tubular portion disposed in the chamber and provided with a passage communicating with the chamber, a tube having an upper end connected to the tubular portion and a portion extending through the member into the tank, a pump and motor unit disposed in the tank and connected to the tube, and said chamber, electrical means disposed in the tube and connected to the motor, and said tubular member having cross-dimensions less than the cross-dimension of the pump to permit passage of the pump through said chamber and tubular member.

2. In combination: a chambered housing, a support having an attaching portion connected to the housing and a generally tubular portion disposed in the chamber and provided with a passage communicating with the chamber, said housing being provided with internal guide means within the lower part of the chamber, said tubular portion of the support being provided with a portion spaced axially from the attaching portion and cooperating with said internal means to assist in stabilizing the position of the support, a pipe connected to the tubular portion of the support, a pump unit comprising a turbine carried by said pipe, and said unit being of a size for passage through the chamber in the housing.

3. A pumping assembly for installing a submerged pump within a fluid container, said assembly comprising an elongated casing, said casing having means at one end thereof for mounting said casing upon an opening in said container, a pumping conduit inserted through said casing into said container with adequate space between said conduit and said casing to facilitate insertion and withdrawal of said conduit and said pump, said pumping conduit having submerged pump connecting elements mounted at its end disposed within said container and terminating at its end disposed outside of said container in a hollow cover member, said hollow cover member having a transverse opening, a discharge head surrounding said hollow cover member and in conjunction therewith defining a chamber having upper and lower apertures and a portion extending transversely from said hollow cover member, said chamber communicating with said transverse opening in said hollow cover member, a discharge outlet means incorporated in the side of said discharge head and connected to said member, said hollow cover member having peripheral portions engaged in sealing relationship with the peripheral portions of said discharge head disposed adjacent said apertures, a sleeve carrying electrical conductors extending through said hollow cover member and said conduit to said submerged pump, an electrical junction box being mounted upon a portion of said hollow cover member through which said sleeve carrying said electrical conductors extends, the junction between said sleeve carrying said electrical conductors and said hollow cover member being sealed to prevent a flow of fluid into said junction box, and a connector mounting said junction box upon said hollow cover member to facilitate the connection of external electrical conductors thereto.

4. An extractable manifold assembly of the kind described comprising, in combination:

(a) a tubular mounting connected to a supply tank,

(b) a hollow housing adapted to form a chamber carried by said tubular mounting,

(c) a support mounted on the housing, said support provided with a tubular portion having a port in communication with said chamber,

(d) said support provided with a sealing means disposed between the housing and support,

(e) a pipe extending through the mounting and having its upper end connected to the tubular portion of the support,

(f) a submerged pump and motor unit connected to the lower end of the pipe,

(g) electric lead means extending through the pipe and connected to the motor,

(h) and said pipe and said unit having cross-dimensions less than the cross-dimension of the mounting and the tubular portion of the support so that the pipe and unit can be withdrawn through the mounting.

5. An extractable manifold assembly for a submerged pump and motor unit comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing provided With a chamber and outlet means,

(b) a valve mechanism associated with the outlet means, said valve mechanism including a relief valve to prevent pressure build up in the outlet means,

(0) said housing having an opening extending therethrough,

(d) a support mounted in the opening of the housing and having a port communicating with the chamber,

(e) sealing means disposed between the support and housing,

(f) a pump and motor unit carried by the support and adapted to communicate with the chamber,

(g) and said pump and motor unit having a slightly smaller cross-dimension to permit passage of the pump through the housing via the opening.

6. An extractable manifold assembly for a pump and motor unit comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing provided with a chamber having an opening therethrough with an annular guide means,

(b a support mounted on the housing and having a generally tubular portion provided with a port communicating with said chamber,

(c) said tubular portion disposed in the chamber and having means cooperating with the annular guide means to assist in'stabilizing the position of the support,

(d) a pipe attached to the tubular portion of the support,

(e) a unit comprising a pump and a motor connected to the pipe, a conduit for conductor Wires extending through the pipe and connected to the motor, and

( said opening in the housing having a cross-dimension greater than the cross-dimension of the unit so the latter can be removed through the housing openmg.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,002,451 Gray May 21, 1935 2,223,699 Norgren Dec. 3, 1940 2,424,469 Korte July 22, 1947 2,425,957 Samelson Aug. 19, 1947 2,547,761 Korte Apr. 3, 1951 2,611,320 Morrison Sept. 23, 1952 2,759,639 Kieger Aug. 21, 1956 2,832,512 Brooks Apr. 29, 1958 2,913,987 Clymer Nov. 24, 1959 

